Murray said at a news conference that he accepted an offer to serve as president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce. He told reporters that he considers the position an opportunity to continue to work on the economic and community initiatives that he's been working on for the past 15 years.
Murray's resignation would be effective June 2, and he will begin his new role at the chamber of commerce June 3.
The Massachusetts lieutenant governor announced his leaving has nothing to do with the ongoing investigation into whether his campaign committee inappropriately accepted contributions from the former Chelsea Housing Authority director Michael McLaughlin.
Murray said he's spent 15 years in elected office.
"When I made that decision I expected to finish my term as lieutenant governor working closely with Governor Patrick on the priorities we have established to continue to move Massachusetts forward. I was not actively pursuing any employment opportunities. However, I was approached by the leadership at the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce with an intriguing idea. The chamber's longtime, capable president Dick Kennedy is retiring and executive committee asked if I would be interested in leading the chamber, growing its mission and its economic impact," Murray said. "Then as I gave the matter more thought and discussed it in depth with my wife Tammy, I became increasingly interested about the unique opportunities it presents. So much of what we had accomplished across the commonwealth in the past six-plus years has been through public-private partnerships. I have always said that government can't and shouldn't do it all. But through strategic public investments directed by enlightened public and private sector leadership we can foster the economic growth, job creating and community development that Massachusetts deserves."
Governor Deval Patrick thanked Murray for his work.
"This has been a very difficult yet empowering decision. It has been an honor to serve as lieutenant governor," Murray said. "Most importantly, I want to thank Governor Patrick. He's been a friend, a mentor and a partner who has led the commonwealth of Massachusetts through some of its tumultuous moments in modern times, whether it be the great recession; the many challenges thrown at us from Mother Nature and most recently the marathon bombing. The people of Massachusetts have a captain that is steady during the storm and is leading Massachusetts through to better days."
